Sharing my story is important because I’m sick and tired of people judging adopted kids. We’re human beings, and our parents do not define us. Whether our parents gave birth to us or not, they are our true family because they chose us and they raised us. At the end of the day, they will ALWAYS be my true family.

I was born in Seoul, South Korea.

I was adopted from Korea by two amazing Caucasian parents who also adopted another boy from Korea.

He is now my older brother.

I still live with my adoptive parents.

Before I was adopted, I was in foster care from babyhood until I was four months old.

I am so grateful to be adopted and I love my parents very much. Blood may mean you’re related, but loyalty means you’re real family. I will always know who my real family is.

At first, I didn’t want to have been adopted. I thought that having white parents would make it more difficult for me to fit in with the other Asian kids, but at the same time I couldn’t fit in with the white kids either.

Asian kids would often call me “banana”… for being yellow on the outside and white on the inside. I had to face and overcome a lot of bullying as a child. I felt as if I was a “fake” Asian, which led to a lot of stress and eventually, depression.

But, despite this, I did end up getting along with my parents. We lived as though they themselves had given birth to me.

I feel stronger for having gone through all the bullying, embarrassment, and shame. I’m proud of having gone through all of that and to have come out on the other side.

My goal for this year is to fully accept myself and embrace who I am.

But, I have no idea where I’ll be in 10 years. Unlike the stereotype, I’m not a math whiz, so I will have to explore other paths. I am just going to live life and see where it takes me.